New law restricts planting of exotic trees in Ponta Grossa

The Prefeitura de Ponta Grossa sanctioned a new law that establishes rules for planting exotic plant species in green areas intended for public use. Law no. 16.138/2026, published in the Official Gazette of the Municipality on Thursday (12), amends municipal environmental legislation and determines that landscaping and green infrastructure projects prioritize native species of the region.

The measure was proposed by the councilor Dr. Erick, through Bill No. 253/2026, approved by Câmara Municipal de Ponta Grossa in a session held on October 28. The text was sanctioned by prefeita Elizabeth Schmidt on November 10.

With the change, the legislation now prohibits the planting of exotic plant species, invasive or non-invasive, in green areas intended for public use, with specific exceptions provided for in the law itself.

Planting may be authorized in specific situations

Despite the restriction, the new legislation allows non-invasive alien species to be used in certain projects of public interest, provided that there is technical authorization from the Municipal Secretariat of Meio Ambiente.

Among the initiatives that may receive authorization are municipal programs of urban green infrastructure, urban forests, food gardens, hortas comunitárias and environmental education projects.

Other actions aimed at improving the environmental and landscape conditions of Ponta Grossa may also be contemplated.

However, the authorization will depend on the favorable technical opinion of the Municipal Secretariat of Meio Ambiente, responsible for evaluating the suitability of the species and the characteristics of the places where they will be planted.

Preservation areas will have restrictions

the legislation establishes that, even in exceptional situations, the planting of non-invasive alien species may not be authorized in certain environmentally protected spaces.

The prohibition on authorisation covers:

Areas of Permanent Preservation (APPs);

Integral protection conservation units;

Legal Reserves;

Areas for ecological recovery;

Regions classified as priority for biodiversity conservation.

Another important point is that all environmental projects should ensure the predominance of regional native species. In this way, non-invasive exotic plants can be used only as complementary elements, without replacing the characteristic vegetation of the region.

What changes to Ponta Grossa?

In practice, the new legislation establishes stricter criteria for the planning of public green spaces, including initiatives for tree-planting, landscaping and environmental recovery.

The main change is the requirement to prioritize the native regional vegetation and submit any exceptions to the technical evaluation of the Municipality.

It is important to note that the law specifically deals with planting in green areas intended for public use. The text does not establish a general prohibition for gardens and private properties, nor does it determine the automatic removal of exotic trees already existing.

Law No. 16.138/2026 came into force on Thursday (12), the date of its publication in the Official Electronic Journal of the Municipality, edition No. 4,750.

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